08 coupe, manual or cvt?

[Meder]

hello.

I am interested in ordering an 08 coupe. I am not sure if the cvt is worth while. I have drove both and I prefer manual, but I have also heard good things about the cvt. Which actually gives better acceleration? Is the manual mode in the cvt even worth a look? What benefits do I get with manual? CVT? I do live in an area where there can be quite a bit of traffic. I am not too worried about this as shifting does not bother me.

Thanks

[mikemart]

I've never been a manual guy, so I will be going with the CVT. I'm sure the manual is fun to drive (especially if you're getting the 3.5).

I test drove a 3.5 CVT; that thing flat out flies --balls to the wall!!!

The manual might get a little better mpg and acceleration, I don't know. Hopefully someone w/ a manual will respond to your ?'s.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Love the 6 speed. Wouldn't have it any other way. IMO if you enjoy driving and don't mind shifting its quite enjoyable. Plus its cheaper

[altima coupe]

I have a 3.5 with CVT. The CVT is very responsive and accelrates very quickly to the speed you want. It's extremely smooth which some people don't like as they prefer the gear shift feal. I personally love it as the CVT feels like instantaneous speed on tap. It's great in stop and go city traffic. As for the techtronic manual mode on the CVT, it's nothing special. I tried it and personally prefer using the CVT. About the only useful thing I can see it being used for is downshifting.

If you need to feel the shifts, then you will need to go manual (as manual mode in CVT won't cut it) but if you just care about speed and acceleration when you want it, then the CVT won't diappoint.

[Kasper08]

CVT (i own) quicker and better mpg than manual :-) 6spd WAY MORE FUN TO DRIVE : i just wanted my car that day so i got my CVT and i love it ... just my 2cents go with what you enjoy the most it's your car not ours :-)

[mcheddadi]

Manual all the way, nothing like controlling your car to it's fullest and getting high RPMS for instant acceleration. It's also better for the winter, I just can't see myself driving in an automatic in the snow, because when you slide, it's over, you can't downshift or anything, you just pray the ECU in the car can handle it lol

[MisfitBrian]

Manual all the way, nothing like controlling your car to it's fullest and getting high RPMS for instant acceleration. It's also better for the winter, I just can't see myself driving in an automatic in the snow, because when you slide, it's over, you can't downshift or anything, you just pray the ECU in the car can handle it lol

IIRC, most of the HP & torque are in the lower RPM's & you could use the manual mode of CVT to downshift if need be. This is the 1st auto I've had in over 20 years of driving & I'm loving it so far.

[mikemart]

Manual all the way, nothing like controlling your car to it's fullest and getting high RPMS for instant acceleration. It's also better for the winter, I just can't see myself driving in an automatic in the snow, because when you slide, it's over, you can't downshift or anything, you just pray the ECU in the car can handle it lol

I've been driving automatics my entire driving life (10 years) and have never worried about sliding/crashing because I have an auto. I would say its more about the driver than the transmission. With an auto, you can downshift to a lower gear to reduce rpm, which will reduce excess spin on slick surfaces.

I live in Wyoming, so I drive plenty in the snow.

Different strokes...

[sraeb007]

I have the 2007 3.5 SE Sedan with the CVT. The CVT is very quick especially when u get into the kickdown switch. The car revs up to about 64-6500 rpms and just keeps accelerating. The manual mode is quite fun and is especially good for engine braking. The car is quicker 0-60 in regular CVT mode than manual mode but unless your at the track you won't notice much of a difference. This is a personal choice and you test drive both for a lengthy period of time to make sure it is right for you. They each have advantages. The manual is cheaper and gives u more control over the car. The CVT gives u a very smooth ride with a fun manual mode, plus that option of not being on the clutch every 2 seconds in stop and go traffic. Not to mention with the CVT you can eat, drink, shave, put make-up on, read the newspaper and talk on the phone all while driving.

[mikemart]

you can also text message, clip your fingernails and conceive a child

[SHIFT_2.5S]

The CVT gives u a very smooth ride with a fun manual mode, plus that option of not being on the clutch every 2 seconds in stop and go traffic.

You don't have to be on the clutch ever 2 seconds if you drive a manual. Just stick it into 1st or 2nd gear, keep a large distance between the car in front, and roll along with the traffic. In very heavy traffic, you can just leave it in neutral.

[Meder]

I think I would like to go with the manual. I thought this forum had a lot more manual guys? I doubt the cvt is actually faster than a manual when drivin right? Any more arguments for the manual side?

I figured since I do not mind shifting, love to drive, and enjoy having the superior control over the car manual is for me. I do live in a city, but it is not too bad. I do not really mind shifting but in traffic it can be a pain. I still feel like the benefits from manual are far worth it compared to cvt. CVT is obviously a great engine, but it just can not give you the control and feel manual does.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

CVT is obviously a great engine, but it just can not give you the control and feel manual does.

The same can be said of any automatic transmission, except maybe the paddle shifters.

[ctrlaltcoupe]

I think I would like to go with the manual. I thought this forum had a lot more manual guys? I doubt the cvt is actually faster than a manual when drivin right? Any more arguments for the manual side?

I figured since I do not mind shifting, love to drive, and enjoy having the superior control over the car manual is for me. I do live in a city, but it is not too bad. I do not really mind shifting but in traffic it can be a pain. I still feel like the benefits from manual are far worth it compared to cvt. CVT is obviously a great engine, but it just can not give you the control and feel manual does.

Congrats on your choice. You picked the right one!

I agree, i'm sure the CVT is a great transmission (not engine). But I've always been predjudice towards manual transmissions. I just feel that you are ruining a sporty car by putting an automatic transmission in it.

[Stateless]

I think I would like to go with the manual. I thought this forum had a lot more manual guys? I doubt the cvt is actually faster than a manual when drivin right? Any more arguments for the manual side?

If you know how to shift well, the manual should be faster.

[Kasper08]

If you know how to shift well, the manual should be faster.

no manual on earth can shift as fast as it's automatic counterpart when given a clutchless manual mode, well maybe if you have magic powers :-)

[Stateless]

no manual on earth can shift as fast as it's automatic counterpart when given a clutchless manual mode, well maybe if you have magic powers :-)

The magazine testers consistently manage to get better times. It's different if we were talking about a triptonic like in the 350z that will instantly shift when told to, but the regular cvt's and auto trannys still have a delay.

[Meder]

no manual on earth can shift as fast as it's automatic counterpart when given a clutchless manual mode, well maybe if you have magic powers :-)

Sorry, that is just false info. CVT is a tiptronic transmission. It is basically an automatic that allows to you shift gears. It does not give you nearly what the manual gives you.

Now, there are things like the BMW smg transmission which is a Sequential transmission. It is a manual transmission that is controlled by an electronic clutch which shift extremely fast. Basically, this is a manual transmission that has a computer controlled clutch which is able to shift way before any human. This is still a manual transmission which you shift but do not have to control the clutch yourself. These Sequential transmissions often come with some form of automatic mode where you do not have to shift. In the end though, it is a manual transmission with a clutch.

CVT is a tiptronic transmission. There is very little benefit if any at all to shifting in the cvt. If the coupe came with a Sequential or manual, than the choice is clear. I dont know about you, but I cannot afford a bmw. Manual is the faster transmission, assuming you know how to shift pretty well.

I admit I have limited knowledge of all of this, but I have been reading about this for nearly 2 weeks. Please correct me if any of this is wrong.

[Stateless]

I'm actually probably wrong about the 350z... I was thinking of the high end cars like the BMW you mentioned, but the 350z likely isn't like that (the triptonic seems to shift quicker than a regular auto, but then again thinking about it again, in my experience it only does that at certain rpm otherwise there is the briefest of delays).

On a side note, I hear the 2009 gt-r is a 7-speed semi-auto with paddle shifters

[SHIFT_2.5S]

By nature, manual is faster than both SMG and Tiptronic (CVT). In the end, it all depends on the driver.

[mcheddadi]

I have the 2007 3.5 SE Sedan with the CVT. The CVT is very quick especially when u get into the kickdown switch. The car revs up to about 64-6500 rpms and just keeps accelerating. The manual mode is quite fun and is especially good for engine braking. The car is quicker 0-60 in regular CVT mode than manual mode but unless your at the track you won't notice much of a difference. This is a personal choice and you test drive both for a lengthy period of time to make sure it is right for you. They each have advantages. The manual is cheaper and gives u more control over the car. The CVT gives u a very smooth ride with a fun manual mode, plus that option of not being on the clutch every 2 seconds in stop and go traffic. Not to mention with the CVT you can eat, drink, shave, put make-up on, read the newspaper and talk on the phone all while driving.

I love shifting every 2 seconds, makes me feel all manly and powerful

[Meder]

Has anyone been able to find any real 0-60 numbers on the coupe? How does the coupe compare to the SE-R? Seems like nearly the same car besides some styling and a bit smaller.

[MinisterofDOOM]

CVT (i own) quicker and better mpg than manual :-)

You've sparked my interest here.

Can anyone provide numbers to back this up?I don't mean that in an argumentative way...I'm genuinely curious.If you look at Versa owners' experiences, you'll find that the CVT models are do not provide universally better fuel milage. In fact, a lot of owners were surprised (or disappointed) to find that the CVT seemed to provide worse fuel milage than 6-speed cars. (See Ever Victorious' excellent Versa Fuel Economy study results here.)

As Nissan originally intended their CVT as a way to combat other brand's hybrid cars (which Nissan didn't have a lot of faith in), the fact that the CVT didn't provide drastically better milage was surprising.

I'm curious how the two compare in the case of the Altima. For what it does, the VQ35DE is a pretty fuel efficient engine (low-20s to low-30's depending on driving conditions...I've seen over 31 mpg from mine a few times, and that's with a traditional 5-speed auto).I wonder if Nissan has made any revisions for the Altima CVT, or if the focus is even the same (the Altima CVT may be focused toward maximizing torque or power rather than strictly producing the best fuel milage).

Let's see some fuel milage numbers from '07+ Altima owners with CVTs and 6-speeds! (Tell us a bit about your driving habits and conditions, too.)

[Dexion]

Sorry, that is just false info. CVT is a tiptronic transmission. It is basically an automatic that allows to you shift gears. It does not give you nearly what the manual gives you.

Now, there are things like the BMW smg transmission which is a Sequential transmission. It is a manual transmission that is controlled by an electronic clutch which shift extremely fast. Basically, this is a manual transmission that has a computer controlled clutch which is able to shift way before any human. This is still a manual transmission which you shift but do not have to control the clutch yourself. These Sequential transmissions often come with some form of automatic mode where you do not have to shift. In the end though, it is a manual transmission with a clutch.

CVT is a tiptronic transmission. There is very little benefit if any at all to shifting in the cvt. If the coupe came with a Sequential or manual, than the choice is clear. I dont know about you, but I cannot afford a bmw. Manual is the faster transmission, assuming you know how to shift pretty well.

I admit I have limited knowledge of all of this, but I have been reading about this for nearly 2 weeks. Please correct me if any of this is wrong.

Let me correct you here, CVT is not a tiptronic transmission, its not even an automatic, the only thing automatic about it is that you don't have to engage and disengage a clutch and switch gears. CVT stands for Continously Variable Transmission. What it is is two pulleys and a belt between them. Automatics have the planetary gears and other things that the CVT does not have therefore its not an automatic.

The belt can imitate gear ratios by how its connected to the pulley, for example a low gear means the first pulley is turning fast and the 2nd one slow, and a high gear means just the opposite. A CVT holds the engine RPM at any given speed and the pulleys and belt change positions (or gear ratios) accordingly.

Software also allows the transmission to have 6 different preset stages or positions so it mimics a normal 6-speed manual. Since this transmission is a whole lot simpler than an automatic the tiptronic mode is alot smoother and quicker responding than an automatic is. (Someone has even mentioned that its response is even quicker than the 7-speed auto in the AMG model Merc's)

Secondly the fastest 0-60 time for the 3.5SE Coupe is 5.8 seconds and this was with the CVT transmission not the manual. The Manual in the 2007 Altima sedan scored 5.9 at 0-60. Also interesting to note the two cars in contrast had almost the same weight, the Sedan(M/T) weighed in at 3357lbs and the Coupe(CVT) came in at 3366lbs. So yes if you know how to launch the CVT you will get the same acceleration as the 6 MT.

http://www.caranddriver.com/sh....html

[mcheddadi]

[...]Secondly the fastest 0-60 time for the 3.5SE Coupe is 5.8 seconds and this was with the CVT transmission not the manual. The Manual in the 2007 Altima sedan scored 5.9 at 0-60. Also interesting to note the two cars in contrast had almost the same weight, the Sedan(M/T) weighed in at 3357lbs and the Coupe(CVT) came in at 3366lbs. So yes if you know how to launch the CVT you will get the same acceleration as the 6 MT.[...]http://www.caranddriver.com/sh....html

I beg to differ lol, 5.7 seconds for the 6MT 2008 Altima coupe by road and track Magazine:http://www.roadandtrack.com/as...t.pdfh ... ar...=5515

2008 Nissan Altima 3.5SE CoupeTRANSMISSION: continuously variable transmission

Zero to 60 mph: 5.8 secZero to 100 mph: 15.7 secStanding ¼-mile: 14.6 sec @ 97 mph

http://www.caranddriver.com/sh....html

2008 Nissan Altima 3.5SE CoupeTRANSMISSION: 6 Speed manual transmission

Zero to 60 mph: 5.7 secZero to 100 mph: 13.9 secStanding ¼-mile: 14.2 sec @ 101.2 mph

http://www.roadandtrack.com/as...t.pdf

6MT for the WIN
Modified by mcheddadi at 5:42 PM 8/31/2007

[Meder]

I simply cannot see any cvt beating a manual. One test claims the cvt, while nearly every other goes by the manual...

[AltiCoupeDriver]

If you enjoy driving manual then go for it because its cheaper, I think it gets better mpg, and its a little bit faster. However the CVT is smoother and somewhat gives you the best of both worlds. I have the CVT and IMO its the best way to go, but in the end its what you want.

[guitarmn07]

I'm sure the manny will beat the cvt any day... given that the driver knows exactly how to drive the car i.e. knowing the optimum shift points, double clutching, heel and toe...etc... (correct me if I am wrong... I know nothing about drag racing...)

But choosing a manual vs CVT... all personal preference. I have a lot of city driving so there's a lot of stop and go... I prefer the CVT. And I have a CVT and I love it! Now, if I had money for a 2nd car... I'd have a weekend car and it would most definitely be a manual

[mcheddadi]

I simply cannot see any cvt beating a manual. One test claims the cvt, while nearly every other goes by the manual...

what test? in every test the manual is the faster car and the cvt is the one lagging behind it In zero to 100 mph, the cvt is 1.8 seconds slower, and by today's standards that's a lot So either you tell all your friends that the cvt is more practical and that's why you chose it, or you get the real driver's car and tell all your friends how great it feels to have a clutch and actually do something when driving

Maybe I'll get an auto/cvt/whatever when I turn 80 and have arthritis or something

[SHIFT_2.5S]

Why is everyone arguing about a difference of 0.1 seconds? This seems like nonsense. Instead, I'd rather see the numbers for the 2.5S.

What most people don't realize is that they will never notice this 0.1 second difference, nor any difference within that range. You can all just take your coupes to a track and have a CVT vs manual showdown. Otherwise, this is all just talk. Leave the real racing to the race car drivers.